What kind of Oil do i use for...

[BLUE CUDA]

I have put 500 miles on my New Engine. Car is a 1970 Plymouth Cuda with a 340 4-Speed Pistol Grip. It is a stock 340 with Flat Tappet Camshaft. What kind of oil Should I use? I have heard that Flat Tappet Cams require Zinc in the oil... I broke it in with 10/40 oil. All replies are important to me, thank you. 

[Strawdawg]

there are quite a few oils with plenty of zinc in them  I used Valvoline Racing, but Brad Penn and Joe Gibbs make good oils plus there are a number of others advertising zddp these days.  Normally I don't like to use additives because they don't always mix well with the additive package blended in by the oil companies.  I had someone asking me for help the other day because their oil pressure was dropping much lower than normal on hot days compared to what it had done last year.  One of the the things I told him to check was cutting open the filter to look for debris.  When he cut it open it was covered with a gray gunk.  I asked him what oil he was using and it was some flavor of Castrol and he added a bottle of zddp.  Seems that combination did not go together well.  I'm sure that is a rare case, but, it's not the first time I have seen it.  He was only running 85# springs and it was a waste anyway-but...

[johns cuda shop]

Valvoline VR1  is a great oil for a flat tappet cam. http://www.valvoline.com/products/consumer-products/motor-oil/racing-motor-oil/6     There others out there too .I don't trust any additive. 

[Chryco Psycho]

I was using Z Alt , not available anymore , I have also used cam break in additives with high ZDDP content , I generally try to use straight oil though , nothing on the shelf is adequate anymore , SJ rated or SL will work , most are SM or  SN ,

[Topcat]

I've been using Brad Penn 30Wt break in oil.

It's supposedly one of the higher counts of ZDDP oil on the market.
Summit sells it and so does Jegs.

[Katfish]

Any 10-40 and 1/3.bottle of Lucas break in oil.  $12 at Advanced Auto, beats paying $6 or more a qt for Gibbs or the other specialty oils.

[JayBee]

This is what my engine rebuilder told me to use:
Shell Rotella T 15w40 and 1/2 bottle (6 onz) Comp Cams Engine Break-In Oil Addiitive

[roadman5312]

Valvoline VR1  is a great oil for a flat tappet cam. http://www.valvoline.com/products/consumer-products/motor-oil/racing-motor-oil/6     There others out there too .I don't trust any additive. 

             

[brads70]

Brad Penn here , I have used Valvoline VR1 in the past too.

[stinger]

recently switched to Brad Penn 10 w 30. interesting note that my engine sounded like a sewing machine after the change but has quieted down after awhile. I also noticed I did a valve spring swap later on and the oil felt really sticky on my hands compared to conventional oil I've used in the past,kinda like that.

[brasil]

10W40 Royal Purple  HPS :   lots of Zink  and Synthetic ..

Works great ! 

Greetings Juergen

[dfrazz]

Lucas makes a good Hot Rod & Classic Car 10W-40 oil with zinc. 

http://lucasoil.com/products/hot-rod-high-performance/hot-rod-classic-car-10w-40-motor-oil

[BLUE CUDA]

I was thinking of using the Valvoline VR1. But it only comes in 10-30W or 20-50W. I had 10-40W for the break-in. I guess 10-30W should be ok. What do you guys think?

[Strawdawg]

Should be fine unless your engine was built with big clearances for racing

[cudabob496]

I'd use an oil that begins with at least 5 weight when cold.
90% of all engine wear occurs at startup, and a low viscosity
oil, when cold, will flow quicker to vital areas, especially the valve
train, which is far away from the oil pump. And 5w synthetic flows quicker
than standard 5w oil.

I've been using 0w-30 or 5w-30 full synthetic in my 496. Engine has been running
like new for 14 years.